The Experimental Study of Elementary Particle Interactions at High Energy

Abstract

The Large Hadron Collider is delivering data which allows us to study the properties of the smallest known constituents of matter - quarks and leptons. The current theory which describes these properties is known as the Standard Model, and it has been extremely successful in the predicting the outcome of experiments at lower energies. However, it is expected that new phenomena, not predicted by the Standard Model, should begin to appear in the TeV energy range. Theoretical predictions include a variety of new particles and interactions. Models using supersymmetry predict a new particle for every one so far discovered for example. The theory does not currently explain the lack of antimatter in our Universe. By performing experiments with the ATLAS and LHCb detectors, we aim to cast light on these issues by observing effects outside of the Standard Model.

Neutrino experiments have also revealed many unexpected phenomena over the years, including the recent suggestion that they may travel faster than light. We will continue our successful exploration of the properties of these particles using the MINOS and MINOS+ detectors. We hope to able to confirm or refute the suggestion that they travel at superluminal speed, and also to test whether they possess interactions consistent with being in the class of Majorana particles (which are their own antiparticles), rather than Dirac particles as currently presumed.

We will also work on upgrading the detector systems of ATLAS and LHCb, which will allow us to continue to gather new data much faster, after a planned increase in beam intensity at the LHC. This will involve novel work on sensors and fast electronics.

Finally, we will prepare the ground for the next generation of accelerators. If discoveries are made at the LHC, for example by observing the Higgs boson or another new particle, its properties will need to be measured at very high precision. This could be achieved with a linear electron-positron collider. We will remain in the forefront of design work for such a new machine and its detector systems.

Planned Impact

The results will be widely disseminated to schools and the community more widely via our outreach programme. The high level of public interest in this research leads to more students studying science at school and University, thereby benefits the UK economy by raising skill levels and capability. We will use apparatus specially developed for outreach work including our spark and cloud chambers. We will also pursue our CROCS project, which is teaching school students how to construct cosmic ray detectors, in order to develop their hardware skills and ultimately make measurements of cosmic ray showers. Our Science Museum Fellow will help to organise a major exhibition on LHC physics at the Museum in 2013.

Industry will benefit from developments in sensors, fast electronics and advanced computing techniques deployed in our work. We will continue to collaborate with the Radiology Department at Addenbrookes Hospital to improve outcomes from radiotherapy for cancer patients in our VoxTox and Accel-RT projects. We will seek to further expand our work in this area with new joint proposals. We will also seek further spin-offs from our grid computing expertise, including working with Scidiver Ltd on internet search.

A major exhibition at the internationally renowned Science Museum in London about the Large Hadron Collider.Also related media including:BBC Radio 5 Live interviewBBC TV World News InterviewBBC World Radio InterviewBBC TV News InterviewSunday Times InterviewBBC Radio4 InterviewNature News InterviewBBC Russia InterviewPresentation to journalists from Evening Standardetc.

50000 visitors in the UK. Planned international tour targeting 300000 international visitors. Raising the profile of the CERN, the Large Hadron Collider and the Higgs Boson.

This question (and indeed this whole section) does not capture sensible data. This activity was an online Q&A for the Guardian newspaper. It doesnt fit your categories. The "results" are completely unknowable.

Unknown

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2012

Description

Guided tours at CERN

Form Of Engagement Activity

Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Geographic Reach

International

Primary Audience

Public/other audiences

Results and Impact

Group members act as official tour guides at CERN

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2015

Description

HEP Masterclass

Form Of Engagement Activity

Participation in an activity, workshop or similar

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Geographic Reach

Regional

Primary Audience

Schools

Results and Impact

N/A

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2014

Description

HEP Masterclass2015

Form Of Engagement Activity

Participation in an activity, workshop or similar

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Geographic Reach

Regional

Primary Audience

Schools

Results and Impact

A one day event for 6th form students repeated over two days. Students receive lectures on topics of current interest in the field and participate in workshops/activities during the day.

A preview event for "Collider" organised by the Paliamentary Office of Science and Technology and the London Science Museum.Exhibits and presentations to parliamentarians including Adam Afriye (POST chairman), David Willetts (minister) and with Prof Peter Higgs.

N/A

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2013

Description

Panel discussion Science Museum (London)

Form Of Engagement Activity

Participation in an activity, workshop or similar

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Type Of Presentation

Keynote/Invited Speaker

Geographic Reach

National

Primary Audience

Public/other audiences

Results and Impact

60 members of public in audience for panel discussion about Higgs boson

N/A

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2012

Description

Particle Fever screening, Royal Institution, 2015

Form Of Engagement Activity

A talk or presentation

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Geographic Reach

National

Primary Audience

Public/other audiences

Results and Impact

Launch event for LHC 2015 startup with public screening of Particle Fever documentary and invited talk.

7000 visitors to "Discovering Particles" stand and Royal Society Exhibition

http://www.ep.ph.bham.ac.uk/DiscoveringParticles/

Year(s) Of Engagement Activity

2011

Description

Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2013

Form Of Engagement Activity

Participation in an activity, workshop or similar

Part Of Official Scheme?

No

Type Of Presentation

Workshop Facilitator

Geographic Reach

National

Primary Audience

Public/other audiences

Results and Impact

A collaborative, competitively selected exhibit, "Understanding The Higgs" at the prestigious Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. Engaging with members of the public of all ages. Raising the profile of particle physics through press releases and other interaction with the media.